Since its introduction to Hawai‘i in 1879, the ‘ukulele has been many things: a symbol of an island paradise; a tool of political protest; an instrument central to a rich musical culture; a musical joke; a highly sought-after collectible; a cheap airport souvenir; a lucrative industry; and the product of a remarkable synthesis of western and Pacific cultures. The ‘Ukulele: A History explores all of these facets, placing the instrument for the first time in a broad historical, cultural, and musical context.
Drawing on a wealth of previously untapped sources, Jim Tranquada and John King tell the surprising story of how an obscure four-string folk guitar from Portugal became the national instrument of Hawai’i, of its subsequent rise and fall from international cultural phenomenon to “the Dangerfield of instruments,” and of the resurgence in popularity (and respect) it is currently enjoying among musicians from Thailand to Finland.
The book shows how the technologies of successive generations (recorded music, radio, television, the Internet) have played critical roles in popularizing the ‘ukulele. Famous composers and entertainers (Queen Liliuokalani, Irving Berlin, Arthur Godfrey, Paul McCartney, SpongeBob SquarePants) and writers (Rudyard Kipling, Jack London, P. G. Wodehouse, Agatha Christie) wind their way through its history—as well as a host of outstanding Hawaiian musicians (Ernest Kaai, George Kia Nahaolelua, Samuel K. Kamakaia, Henry A. Peelua Bishaw). In telling the story of the ‘ukulele, Tranquada and King also present a sweeping history of modern Hawaiian music that spans more than two centuries, beginning with the introduction of western melody and harmony by missionaries to the Hawaiian music renaissance of the 1970s and 1980s.
About the Author
Jim Tranquada, author and great-great grandson of ‘ukulele pioneer Augusto Dias, is a former newspaper reporter and director of communications for Occidental College in Los Angeles. The late John King was widely acknowledged as one of the modern masters of the ‘ukulele. He taught guitar at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida, was a contributor to Soundboard, the journal of the Guitar Foundation of America, and is the author of The Hawaiian ‘Ukulele and Guitar Makers: 1884-1930.
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Book Details
- Paperback: 336 pp. 62 illus.( 7 x 0.8 x 10”)
- Publisher: University of Hawaii Press (June 15, 2012)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0824836340
- ISBN-13: 978-0824836344
Source: University of Hawai’i Press
Related Event
A presentation of the book The Ukulele:A History by Jim Tranquada will take place on Saturday, February 23, 2013, from 2:00 – 3:00 pm, at the Grant R. Brimhall Library, 1401 East Janss Road, Thousand Oaks, CA. Jim Tranquada, author and descendent of ukulele pioneers, shares the surprising story of the Portuguese folk guitar that became Hawaii’s national instrument. His book, The Ukulele: A History, will be available for purchase. Local musician and ‘ukulele teacher Tom Kuznkowski will entertain with ‘uke classics. This program is free and open to the public. For more information, please call the Grant R. Brimhall Library at 805-449-2660, option 5, or visit www.toaks.org/library.
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